Fire extinguisher



April 26, 193s. F. MOSSBERG .2,1121371v FIRE. EXTINGUISHER OriginalFiled Feb. l1, 1936 7 3/ Z5 l lNvENToR l File/'lk /Vosseny BY Fund'82A-fu ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITESD STATES FIREEXTINGUISI-IER Frank Mossberg, Attleboro, Mass.

Application February 11, 1936, Serial No. 63,301

Renewed September 16, 1937 11 Claims.

This invention relates to re extinguishers and particularly toimprovements in extinguishers of the type in which a liquid reextinguishing agent is released automatically when the temperature inthe vicinity of the apparatus rises to a predetermined point.

Fire extinguishers of the type referred to are adapted to be lled with afire extinguishing liquid, for example, carbon tetrachloride and a gasgenerating agent such as an aqueous solution of ammonia. The receptaclefor the fire extinguishing liquid is provided with a suitabledistributor such as a sprinkler head and with an outlet leading theretowhich is normally sealed and adapted to be opened when a re occurs.Pressure developed by the gas-generating agent when the'temperaturerises forces the fire extinguishing liquid through the outlet, and theliquid is distributed over the surrounding surface.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved fireextinguishing apparatus wherein the release of the liquid is morepositive and dependable and the eiliciency of the apparatus 5 isincreased.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved outletand distributor whereby the liquid is delivered more uniformly to thesurrounding surface which is to be protected.

will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to thespecication and the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a verticalsection through a re exs.; tinguisher embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the distributor head;

Fig. 3 is a similar View illustrating the structure when the liquid hasbeen released; and

Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of the diaphragm supporting member inthe distributor head.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates a receptacle which is madepreferably of aluminum, particularly if the liquids used therein consistof carbon tetrachloride and aqueous ammonia. Aluminum best resists thecorrosive effect of these liquids in combination. The receptacle 5 maybe of any shape or size depending upon the requirements. It may beconstructed of other materials than aluminum, although alruninum ispreferred for the reasons noted. In the form of the inventionillustrated, the receptacle 5 is adapted to be supported with thedistributor head inverted. u Brackets 6 secured to bosses 'l on thereceptacle Other objects and advantages of the inventionr may befastened by bolts 8, for example, tothe ceiling of a room or to anyother support. The upper part of the receptacle is preferably divided byinternal transversely disposed partitions 9 and l0 which may be securedIby solder or otherwise to the wall of the receptacle.

The receptacle is provided preferably with a threaded internal ange Ilto receive an outlet l2 which is secured in liquid and gas-tightrelation to the flange to avoid leakage. 'Ihe outlet i2 is preferablymade of a material such as stainless steel to avoid corrosion. and alsoto permit adherence of the solder of lo-w melting point as hereinafterdescribed.

The outlet embodies the dual control features of U. S. Patent No.1,736,255, to which my improvements more particularly relate. It is pro-L vided with a shoulder i3 supporting a washer i4 upon which is mounteda thin diaphragm I5 preferably of gold foil. The diaphragm may be madeof other metals such as platinum, silver, or

aluminum. It normally closes the outlet and is securely held between thewasher l i and a Washer I6 which bears against a shoulder il and is heldl in position by a threaded plug I3. The plug I8 has an openingtherethrough communicating with a pipe I9 curved as indicated with itsinlet end 25 disposed adjacent the bottom of the receptacle 5, so thatsubstantially all of the liquid in the receptacle will be drainedtherefrom when the outlet is released.

As a safeguard against premature release of the liquid, the diaphragm l5is supported by a head 2l mounted on a stem 22 which extends through anopening in a strainer 23 having perforations 26 therein. The stem 22extendsl through an opening 25 which Vis substantially larger than thestem and terminates in a head 26 having sloping surfaces 2l, the purposeof which will hereinafter more ful-ly appear. A Washer 28 with dependinglegs 29y is adapted to center'the head 2l and ensure longitudinalmovement when the head is released. A shoulder 3U is provided againstwhich the legs 29 come to rest, thereby limiting the movement of thehead when it is released. Y

The head 2l is normally held in position toY support the diaphragm l 5by a cap 3l having legs 32 which are embedded in solder 33 of suitablecomposition, so that it will melt at a predeteri mined temperature atwhich the extinguishing liquid is to be released. The solder is disposedin a recess 34 provided for that purpose. l

As indicated in Fig. 2, the outletV from the extinguisher is normallyclosed by the diaphragm l5 cated in Fig. 3. 'I'he liquid .passes aroundthe head l5 oughh/e perforations 24 in the amer 23 through the opening25and is ejected VYso With considerable force against the slopingsurface`2'l of the head 26. The head 26 is held in predeterminedposition by engagement of the legs 29 with the shoulder 30 and thesloping surface 21 deflects the liquid, causing it to bedistributeduniformly over the surface inthe vicinity of the extinguisher, whichthus acts eiciently to ensure that fire'will be extinguished bythe ac-Vtion of the liquid. When the extinguisher has been discharged in themanner described and the fire has been extinguished, the apparatus maybe relled. A new diaphragm I5 may be inserted and the valve may be againlocked in the Yposition indicatedin Fig. 2 by the application of a capheld by solder as before. .Y

As previously indicated, stainless steel is used Vpreferably for theparts Vcomprising the outlet from the extinguisher includingparticularly the head 2| and the outlet I2. Stainless steel hasrelatively slightelectrolytic effect in contact with the gold diaphragml5 and it is likewise adapted to hold the solder 33 which does notreadily adhere to metals such as steel and aluminum. The stainless steelmay be of any suitable composition, a steel alloy containing'chromium inthe proportion ofv for exampler about 18-.8%; being suitableffor thepurpose. Y Asfhereinbefore indicated, the structure as described has theadvantages Vof, dual control and is particularly adapted forapplications VWhere it is desirable to have the outlet directed Vdovvntomany practical, tests for fire extinguishing characteristics and iseffective -in operation. It'

*Wardly The mechanism of the diaphragm sup- Y port is practical andcertain in operation. It as,-v

sures successful operation 'o f theextinguisher when the emergencyarises.

[The Astructure as described has been subjected also ensures theprotection and preservation-ofv the contents ofV the receptacleindefinitely so that the re extinguishing liquid is available when afire occurs.y None of the oontents'can escape previous to Ythe emergencywhich the device is intended to meet.

'Ihey various Vadvantages Yof thefinven'tionV are u set` forthhereinjand'these and other advantages .j

may be attained `vvith numerous modifications, of

the'structure Without departingY from the in- VVention or sacrificingthe advantages thereof.

I claim: f A 1. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to containfire extinguishing and gas 4generating, agents; a discharge ynozzlevhaving a Y passage therethrough and means normally closingv thelnternal'pressure of the'receptacleV comprising aY Y passage and adaptedto` be released under predetermined conditions of external temperatureand frangible diaphragm across the passage, a member supporting thediaphragm havinga stem and Va distributor Vheadon the stem, 'andtemperature sensitive means normally holding said member indiaphragm'supporting position.

i` 2. Ina fire extinguisher, a1receptacle adapted;

u ing as a guide therefor.

to contain lre extinguishing and gas generating agents, a dischargenozzle having a passage therethrough and means normally closing thepassage and termined conditions of external temperature and adapted tobe released under predeinternal pressure of the receptacle comprisingaVY3. In a re extinguisher, a receptacle adapted y,

to contain lire extinguishing and gasgenerating agents, a dischargenozzle having aY passage therethrough and kmeans normally closing thepassageand adapted to be'relea'sed under predetermined conditions ofexternal temperature and internal pressure of the receptacle comprisinga frangible diaphragm across the passage, a mem- 'ber supporting thediaphragm having a stem and a distributor head on the stem, temperaturesensitive means normally holding said member in diaphragm supportingposition, and means for limiting the movement of said member when it isreleased, comprising legs on the valve and a ledge adapted to be engagedby the legs.

4. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain fireextinguishing and'gas generating 's agents, a discharge nozzle having apassage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adaptedto be released under predeterminedVVV conditionsV of externaltemperature and internal pressure of the receptacle comprising afrangible n .diaphragm across the passage, a'memberisupportingthediaphragm'having a stem and a distributor headon the stemV having asloping surface to spread the Vfire extinguishing agent, and

temperature sensitive means normally holdingV said Valve in diaphragmsupporting position.

5. In a iire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted Y to contain fireextinguishing and gas generating agents, a discharge nozzle having avpassagetherethrough and means normally closing the passage and adaptedto be released under predetermined conditions of external temperatureand internal pressure of thefreceptacle comprising a frangible diaphragmacross the passage, a

member-supporting the diaphragm having a stem 4 and a distributor headon thestem, temperature sensitive means normally holding said member indiaphragm supporting position, and a pipe connected tov the passage withan Vinlet adjacentthe V.bottom of the receptacle. y Y f 5 6. In a fireextinguisher, a receptacle adapted! to contain-nre extinguishing andgasgeneri-.itingI agents, a discharge nozzlehavinga passage therethroughand means normally closing the passage and adapted to be released underpredetermined conditions of external temperature and internal;

pressure'of the receptacle comprising a frangiblediaphragm across thepassage,y a member sup-4 porting the diaphragm having vka stem anda dis`f tributor head onthe stem, temperature sensitive means normallyholdingysaid member indiaphragm supporting position, and a strainer inthe Y Y,

passagehaving an opening for the stem andserv'- 7. In aV nreextinguisher, a'rreceptacle adapted Yto contain nre extinguishing andgas generating agentsa discharge nozzle having a passage there-v,

through and means normally closingthe/passage.

and adapted to be released under predetermined conditions of externaltemperature andV internal,-

pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible diaphragm across thepassage, a member supporting the diaphragm having a stem and adistributor head on the stem having a sloping surface to spread the reextinguishing agent, temperature sensitive means normally holding saidmember in diaphragm supporting position, and a pipe connected to thepassage with an inlet adjacent the bottom of the receptacle.

8. In a re extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain iireextinguishing and gas generating agents, a discharge nozzle having apassage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adaptedto be released under predetermined conditions of external temperatureand internal pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible diaphragmacross the passage, a member supporting the diaphragm having a stem anda distributor head on the stem having a sloping surface to spread thefire extinguishing agent, temperature sensitive means normally holdingsaid member in diaphragm supporting position, and a strainer in thepassage having an opening for the stem and serving as a guide therefor.

9. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain fireextinguishing and gas generating agents, a discharge nozzle having apassage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adaptedto be released under predetermined conditions of external temperatureand internal pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible diaphragmacross the passage, a member supporting the diaphragm having a stem anda distributor head on the stem, temperature sensitive means normallyholding said member in diaphragm supporting position, a pipe connectedto the passage With an inlet adjacent the bottom of the receptacle, andmeans for limiting the movement of said member when itis released.

10. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to contain fireextinguishing and gas generating agents, a discharge nozzle havingapassage therethrough and means normally closing the passage and adaptedto be released under predetermined conditions `of external temperatureand internal pressure of the receptacle comprising a frangible diaphragmacross the passage, a member supporting the diaphragm having a stem anda distributor head on the stem, temperature sensitive means normallyholding said member in diaphragm supporting position, a strainer in thepassage having an opening for the stem and serving as a guide therefor,and mea-ns for limiting the movement of said member when it is released.11. In a re extinguisher, a receptacle adapted to containfire-extinguishing and gas-generating agents, a discharge nozzle havinga passage therethrough and means normally closing the passage andadapted to be released under predetermined conditions of externaltemperature and internal pressure of the receptacle, comprising afrangible diaphragm across the passage, a member including adiaphragm-supporting head substantially as large as the portion ofthediaphragm to be exposed to the fire extinguishing agent, a stemconnected at one end to said supporting head and a distributor headconnected to the other end of said stem, and temperature-sensitive meansnormally holding said member in position so that said head bears againstand supports the diaphragm.

A FRANK MOSSBERG.

